Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i Motor Boat & Yachting

Boat sharing seems to be one of those Marmite topics; some people love the idea of a structured syndicate that allows them to experience a bigger, better boat than they would normally be able to afford, others abhor the very thought of anyone else using their precious craft whatever the savings. I can see both sides of the argument; on the one hand it makes perfect sense to split the cost of buying and running an expensive craft that most people are only able to use for a few weeks of the year, on the other hand a boat isn’t just a financial asset, it’s a floating home full of personal items and complex systems that you don’t trust other people to look after as carefully as you do. But…

Flying is a means of travel I came to late in life, and I have a love-hate relationship with it. I only started flying regularly when I changed careers to marine journalism and found myself ping-ponging back and forth between the Med (a popular model launch location), various other scenic parts of Europe and occasionally America. So on the one hand, flying signifies another new adventure, perhaps a new location to explore, warm weather and exciting new boats. On the other, there’s that whole pesky certain death in a plane crash thing. I know the odds are massively on my side – I’m more at risk when driving to the airport, I know. But still, seven miles up, 500mph and an over-active imagination do not happy bedfellows make. It wasn’t…

LOA 83ft 8in (25.50m) BEAM 19ft 11in (6.07m) ENGINES Twin MAN V12 1650-1900 diesels TOP SPEED 30 knots PRICE £7 million inc. VAT CONTACT www.princessyachts.com WORLD PREMIERE Enjoying its world premiere in Cannes will be a fourth entry in Princess’s Y Line range of flybridge motor yachts - and if the award-winning Y72, Y85 and Y95 are all about space, luxury and custom-friendly options, the new Y80 looks certain to follow suit. It adopts a classically understated style, which closely echoes the established Y Class formula, with a continuous window line and an ‘S’ shaped hardtop connecting the flybridge to the main deck. Outdoor entertaining also remains a priority and to help with that, there are three alternative cockpit designs: a traditional U-shaped dining layout with extra storage; a central…

LOA 65ft 0in (19.82m) BEAM 29ft 0in (8.85m) ENGINES Twin Volvo Penta D8-600s on V-Drives TOP SPEED 20 knots PRICE €5million inc. VAT CONTACT www.prestige-yachts.com WORLD PREMIERE While Prestige’s M48 certainly addressed the public’s appetite for space, stability and efficiency, this second entry in the twin-hulled M line takes the game to an entirely different level. Called the M8 for its ability to deliver the space of an 85-footer on a 65ft platform, the new boat is rammed full of high-end flourishes and striking design ideas. The saloon, for instance, uses asymmetrical furniture to add interest, variety and intimacy and it works superbly well. There’s a central aft serving hatch with sliding doors on both sides. There’s a sculptural glass flybridge stairwell that enables light to flood through elegant geometric surfaces.…

LOA 60ft 7in (18.47m) BEAM 16ft 11in (5.15m) ENGINES Twin MAN I6 730hp diesels TOP SPEED 26 knots PRICE POA CONTACT www.azimutyachts.com WORLD PREMIERE Although Azimut’s new Magellano 60 is the smallest model in the line, the DNA of this fourth boat is unmistakable. Designed in collaboration with Ken Freivokh, there’s a linear, fuss-free elegance to it that looks quite modest and classical. It features unbroken wraparound glass, long hull windows and a set of parallel teak louvres on the aft pilothouse pillars. And there’s plenty of overlap in application as well as appearance. Created for owners who love long voyages, the new 60 is built on Azimut’s second-generation dual-mode hull – a semi-planing double chine hull with a vertical bow, which delivers a claimed 20% reduction in fuel consumption at…

LOA 40ft 8in (12.40m) BEAM 11ft 2in (3.40m) ENGINES Twin 300-400hp outboards TOP SPEED 26 knots PRICE €222.000 ex factory ex VAT CONTACT www.saxdoryachts.com WORLD PREMIERE Finnish powerboat builder, Saxdor, is set to unveil a new flagship for its range of sporting weekenders. And having already captured the public’s imagination with a fleet of boats that has sold more than 1,000 units since 2019, the Saxdor 400 GTO looks set to take things to a fresh level. As you would expect, the new boat is built on an upscaled version of the 320 hull with twin steps, a plumb bow and a sleek adventure aesthetic. As you might also expect, it’s designed for use with a twin outboard rig and constructed with vacuum infusion techniques for reduced weight and improved…

LOA 62ft 0in (18.86m) BEAM 29ft 6in (8.99m) ENGINES Twin 50-340kW e-motors TOP SPEED 14-20 knots PRICE not yet released CONTACT www.silent-yachts.com Austrian shipyard, Silent Yachts, has taken its best-selling Silent 60, added 2ft and replaced the traditional flybridge with a larger, more practical third deck. Designed to combine the “superyacht flair” of Silent’s 80ft flagship with the compact dimensions of the 60, that upper deck comes in three configurations – a closed skylounge, a closed owner´s suite or an open sky lounge (pictured). That open variant features a U-shaped galley with bar, a central dining table for ten, lots of casual seating around the deck’s edge, and a huge raised sunbathing zone at the stern. With lightweight carbon-fibre construction and a cruise-friendly draft of just 1m, this eight-berth boat…

BOAT TEST BONANZA  Full tests of five sensational new craft, including the Princess S72, Windy 34 Alizé, Prestige M8 powercat and Saxdor 270 SOUTHAMPTON SHOW  Your handy guide to all the latest launches, what makes them special and where to find them at the UK’s number 1 boat show CROATIA CHARTER  Can you really enjoy a superyacht-style experience for a fraction of the price by chartering a local yacht in Croatia? We find out CONTACT Email: mby@futurenet.com Write: Motor Boat & Yachting, Future Plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR…

Except for a brief holiday in Crete decades ago, we have never travelled to Greece, but due to the large Greek community in the university town of Aachen where Jutta and I studied, we already have a strong affinity for its food, culture and people. Brimming with excitement at what lies ahead, we set off from Albania for Marina Gouvia on the Greek island of Corfu. In addition to a large number of berths, this big, well-protected marina has everything that a motor boat owner needs and Corfu itself offers a wide range of possibilities from popular sandy beaches to quiet fishing ports and ancient ruins. We rent a car and travel to the pretty little town of Kassiopi then west to the Canal d’Amour – a perfect crescent bay…

When MD, Jonny Boys, acquired the rights to build Ballistic RIBs back in 2002, his first move was to enter a team of boats into the 600-mile Trans Agulhas endurance race around the southernmost tip of Africa. The idea was to use the feedback from that event in a bid to upgrade the existing designs – and that’s exactly what he did. What followed was the development of a deep-vee hull with long unbroken spray rails and pronounced reverse chines for extra dryness and stability. But in terms of style and deck layout, Ballistic RIBs remained quite traditional. What we came to expect of them were fast seaworthy boats with a soft dry ride and a commercially inspired fit-out comprising inline jockey seats on an open deck between an aft…

MERCURY RACING V8 500R OUTBOARD ENGINE Twenty years ago if you wanted a fast 30ft+ sports boat then your choices were limited to basically which kind of inboard engine and outdrive combination you preferred. Then we started seeing outboards, previously the go-to on smaller runabouts, RIBs and speedboats, start to appear on ever larger and faster vessels. Firstly it was all American offshore centre console boats, often with multiple outboards across the transom. Then the kind of high performance racer that traditionally wouldn’t be seen afloat without a pair of high capacity petrol V8 inboards started turning up with a set of outboards powering them past 60 knots. Now we’re even seeing 40ft flybridge cruisers with outboard engines. The reasons generally revolve around packaging (with the engine mounted directly above…

When looking for a new boat, my first port of call tends to be the Southampton Boat Show. There are lots of builders in attendance so it’s easy to see what’s out there. Another great event for serious buyers is the British Motor Yacht Show in Swanwick. Unlike Southampton, it’s mostly attended by boat owners so access to the exhibits is often easier, enabling you to step pretty much from one boat onto another. The only problem is that these shows tend to be UK-centric and, as I’m constantly reminded by my European cousins on the YBW forum, there are plenty of well-established European builders worth considering. In a bid to address this imbalance, we also attended the boat shows in Cannes and Düsseldorf for two years running. Both shows…

Offshore boats can certainly venture upstream, but dedicated river boats are optimised for inland cruising. So this month, we are back on the river, decked out in a straw boater and striped blazer, glass of Pimm’s in hand (once safely moored for the afternoon, of course). Key features to look for in a river boat include easily accessible decks, as docking (be that in locks or outside waterside pubs) tends to be far more frequent; a hull designed to run efficiently at displacement speeds whilst creating minimal wash; larger rudders that operate well at low speeds; and layouts aimed at living aboard and socialising more than wave-bashing and sunbathing. Here are three great examples that offer all of this, plus one modern take on dayboat river cruising. PRICE: £67,000 BOAT…

BUILT 2021 PRICE £36, 995 At the risk of upsetting the rag and stick brigade, I find sailing mostly rubbish but occasionally brilliant. There’s never enough wind except when there is too much, and when there is the right amount it’s in the wrong direction, meaning you have to zig-zag everywhere at a jaunty angle. But when everything works, the magical feel of gently cruising along in virtual silence with just the noise of the wake bubbling at the forefoot is utterly beguiling. Imagine if you could have that whilst upright and travelling in a straight line? Electric boating is the answer and it’s been with us for a surprisingly long time – the Rand 18 Picnic was launched in 2015. INTERIOR As an open day boat there is no interior…

SEE MORE mby.com/bigpic We’re always singing the praises of boat designs that allow lots of natural light into the interior but we rarely take the time to acknowledge the equally important role played by artificial lighting. The new Sunseeker Superhawk 55 scores a solid 10/10 on both fronts. Not only do those double-stacked windows in the hull and coachroof ensure the lower saloon is awash with natural light during the day but at night LED strips built into the decking and under the furniture bathe the exterior in pools of soft artificial light. However, it’s the artfully designed skylight under the windscreen that really stands out. With LED strips both above and below the glass that mimic the shape of the Union Jack flag, it looks just as good from…

HARBOURSIDE KITCHEN LEVINGTON Nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Suffolk Yacht Harbour Marina sits on the shore of the River Orwell, between N Ipswich and the Port of Felixstowe. It’s a popular marina, which since June 2021 has boasted an added attraction that’s proving to be a hit with boaters and locals alike; the Harbourside Kitchen. More café than restaurant, the Harbourside Kitchen is the brainchild of Jennifer Newton who has created a small but perfectly formed eatery which is a genuine pleasure to visit. The premises resemble a miniature version of something you might find on Grand Designs. Once through the door, the first thing that hits you is just how fresh the place is – from the seaside-blue panel behind the counter to the white walls…

LOA 41ft 2in (12.55m) BEAM 12ft 1in (3.69m) ENGINES 2 x D6 440s / OB up to 900hp TOP SPEED 44 knots PRICE not yet released CONTACT www.windyboats.com Windy’s 39 Camira was much admired during its seven-year production run so it’s no surprise to see the Camira name being resurrected at Cannes. The new 40 Camira RS will tread much the same path as the 39 but it will do so with uprated styling, a revamped helm, an open-plan lower deck and the option of outboard power. In terms of deck layout, the port wet bar is replaced with an aft-facing chaise longue and the cockpit is made more practical thanks to an optional sunroof-equipped T-Top. As the flagship of Windy’s sportscruiser line, you can still opt for a pair…

LOA 28ft 11in (8.82m) BEAM 9ft 2in (2.80m) ENGINES TBC TOP SPEED TBC PRICE TBC CONTACT www.randboats.com Rand’s closely guarded Roamer 28 is designed to marry the brand’s trademark style, sustainability and simplicity with genuine adventure boat credentials. To that end, it uses a stainless steel and hardened glass T-top with a carbon-fibre roof and full-closing canvases to enable proper four-season protection. It also comes with a 144W solar panel on the roof, plus a 500-litre fuel tank for long-distance cruising. There’s a big roof rack for all your toys plus a toilet in the console and an aft seat that can be turned into a full wet bar with sink and cooker. Rotating suspension-equipped pilot seats should help keep you comfy underway, and in addition to lots of storage…

LOA 83ft 0in (25.29m) BEAM 20ft 0in (6.08m) ENGINES twin MAN V12 1800-1900hp TOP SPEED 31 knots PRICE POA CONTACT www.riva-yacht.com WORLD PREMIERE Riva’s latest yacht is designed to deliver “endless outdoor space.” It attempts that by means of a stern beach club with drop-down terraces that increase the width by 3m. Forward of that, the raised cockpit with its “sea-view” sofa design, encompasses a further 35m² of outdoor space. And up on the flybridge, another 40m² enables each living area to enjoy its own distinct zone, with a lounge aft, a sunbathing area forward and an extra lounge with dinette and bar in the centre. The saloon takes a similar approach to zonal arrangements, putting the lower living space and the raised dining area on different levels to help…

LOA 52ft 4in (15.96m) BEAM 16ft 2in (4.93m) ENGINES 2 x 480hp Cummins QSB or 550hp Volvo Penta D8 TOP SPEED 26 knots PRICE POA CONTACT www.sirenayachts.com WORLD PREMIERE Turkish yard, Sirena Marine, is set to introduce a new boat at the entry point to its award-winning fleet of liveaboard cruisers. Designed to enable a whole range of applications, from day boating and long weekends away to extended family cruises, the whole idea behind the new model is to transfer Sirena’s traditional big-boat versatility into a more compact package. To that end, the 48, which actually measures 52ft 4in in length, provides a claimed 25% more usable volume than its competitors. If the vertical bow and windscreen help with that, so does the flybridge, which overhangs the side decks and…

LOA 59ft 9in (18.20m) BEAM 16ft 10in (5.12m) ENGINES Diesel/hybrid from 1,220-2,000hp TOP SPEED 30 knots PRICE €1.499m ex works, ex VAT CONTACT www.greenlinehybrid.com WORLD PREMIERE Greenline’s 58 Fly is finally ready to hit the water, and it’s particularly vital for the Slovenian yard because it’s the perfect size to bridge the gap between the 48 Fly and the flagship 68 Ocean Class. As you would expect, it follows Greenline’s proven formula, with its ability to collect and store electrical energy from the sun, from shore power and (in hybrid form) from the diesel engines. But it also exhibits a range of modern design touches that will go down very well with visitors to the show. In line with the latest trends, the cockpit seating faces across the beam rather than…

When I was a young boy I remember my parents, uncles, aunties and cousins all being keen on the great outdoors. That meant camper vans, tents, hostels and eventually, for my mum and dad, boats. I hated them all. Even from an early age, while friends and family were all waxing lyrical about being at one with nature, I felt like a fish out of water. The comforts of a warm, dry bed were something I never tired of; home-cooked meals and four walls made of brick were essentials to my make-up. I tried camping and went boating with my father many times, and I always came to the same conclusion. I relished the company and sense of adventure but I wanted to enjoy them while staying warm, dry and…

SEE MORE mby.com/sh55 They say the best things come to those who wait and boy have we waited. It’s been 14 years since the last Sunseeker Superhawk 43 rolled off the production line in Poole, killed off by a combination of the 2008 financial crisis and changing consumer tastes. But while the economy eventually returned to business as usual, boat buying habits did not. The demand for pure performance boats with big engines, skinny hulls and limited creature comforts continued to ebb away (in Europe at least), leaving Sunseeker temporarily stumped as to how to replace its iconic Superhawk range. After a number of speculative computer renderings and changes of direction, it finally settled on this boat, the new Superhawk 55. Tapping into the current trend for big, open dayboats…

I’ve always had a thing about Nelson 40s. The first one I bought back in the mid-1980s was an ex-Abu Dhabi police launch that could only be described as a wreck. I found it lurking at the back of an industrial boat yard on Hayling Island. In fact there were two of them but one had a Nelson-shaped hole in the side from a previous encounter with its stablemate. Even the undamaged one was in a right old state; the hull was delaminated, the superstructure was rotten, it was full of water and none of its systems or fittings were salvageable – not even the machine gun mounting points on the flybridge and foredeck. More’s the pity – there were times when they could have come in handy on a…

Imagine, if you will, the front half of a personal water craft. It’s got no motive power, but it does have handlebars to steer it with and a seat to sit on. All it needs is the lower back half to make it go. Plug your YuJet surfboard in and you turn it into a fully functioning machine. It’s powered, therefore, by the YuJet surfboard’s 14hp motor, so the top speed isn’t quite as electric as the drive system at just 19 knots. There’s a slow mode for beginners and children, and it has a. range of just under 10 miles, but you can swap in fresh batteries to keep the fun going. We like the fact that it adds an extra dimension to a fun toy and makes it…

The boats my father and I have owned since the late 1960s have been quite varied but they have all had one thing in common: a trailer. Trailering would happen twice a year for me and my dad: once up to Porthmadog in the spring and then back home again at the end of the season. While I certainly loved it, my own boats have travelled much further afield. In my mid 20s, I worked for Fletcher Sports Boats and bought a lovely secondhand 160 Bravo with a 75hp Mercury. Every Wednesday, I would tow her to work (in suit and tie) and at 5pm on the dot, I would drive the mile or so to Chasewater, a large reservoir serving the canal network. Three of us would spend the…

BUILT 1995 PRICE £67,000 Ocean 29 is an interesting name for a boat so clearly intended for inland use. Although there’s no reason at all why this boat couldn’t put to sea, its performance and its hull configuration are ideal for gentle river cruising. Even the builder was based by a river – Broom’s yard was situated on the picturesque Norfolk Broads at Brundall. We say ‘was’ because although the company still exists, and indeed is in the same location, boat building has now ceased after more than 100 years of production. The business now focuses on its marina and boat hire operations. INTERIOR The layout is straightforward and effective. A clear sliding cabin door and a couple of steps lead down to a saloon with an L-shaped dinette to…

SUNSEEKER MUSTANG COOL RATING ICE-COLD 80S CLASSIC (-80° C) What makes a boat cool? The styling, the vintage, the history, the performance? Well it can be any, all or none of these things. It could just be a very iconic model from a manufacturer’s back catalogue, such as the Fairline Targa 33 we had recently or the Mk1 Princess 45 we featured last year. What we’ve never featured is a Sunseeker, and that’s not down to a paucity of choice, if anything the opposite is true. What to pick? The race-developed (and utterly beguiling) Thunderhawk 43? The outrageous jet-driven Renegade 60 that punched 32,000 gallons of water per minute through its twin jets? The evergreen Portofino 31? All worthy choices, but I’m plumping for the Mustang 20. Launched in October…

LOA 74ft 4in (22.70m) BEAM 26ft 7in (8.15m) ENGINES Twin Volvo D8 IPS 550-625hp TOP SPEED 20 knots PRICE €6.4m ex VAT CONTACT www.bluegame.it WORLD PREMIERE Bluegame is keen to stress that its debut motor cat is not so much a part of the multihull market as the pioneer for a parallel category. In fact, as parent company, Sanlorenzo, puts it, the BGM75 is “first and foremost a luxurious, beautiful motor yacht that ‘by chance’ has not one hull but two”. And when you look at the design, you can see what they mean. The key here is the modest beam. At 26ft 7in, it measures just over a third of the overall length, which falls somewhere between that of a cat and a monohull. At a stroke, that helps…

LOA 44ft 11in (13.70m) BEAM 14ft 0in (4.27m) ENGINES twin Volvo Penta D6 440-480s TOP SPEED 36 knots PRICE not yet released CONTACT www.marex.no Originally introduced as the 420 but since renamed to better express its length and volume, Marex’s new flagship cruiser looks like a really impressive boat. At the aft end, a secure enclosed cockpit with an all-weather canopy system enables you to shut out the elements for year-round use. When specced with cockpit bar stools, an enormous C-shaped galley at the aft end of the saloon helps keep the inside and outside spaces beautifully integrated too. In ‘Scandinavia’ rather than ‘Gourmet Cruiser’ form, there is also the option of a smaller starboard galley, plus a larger port dining area for extra indoor seating but in all cases,…

LOA 42ft 8in (13.40m) BEAM 9ft 10in (3.82m) ENGINES Outboards of up to 1,050hp TOP SPEED 50 knots PRICE TBC CONTACT www.wellcraft.com Coming hot on the heels of the adventure-ready 355, the new 435 is not just the biggest Wellcraft ever, but also the most versatile. There’s plenty of space on the aft deck thanks to a large bathing platform and a cockpit with fold-down bulwarks on both sides, and the big foredeck lounge provides a handy alternative drinks venue. With its plumb bow, forward raked windscreen, substantial freeboard and elevated all-round guardrails, there’s plenty of security here, as well as volume. And visibility looks good too, thanks to 360° glazing, plus a starboard side door and an overhead sunroof. Down below, there are two cabins and two shower rooms,…

LOA 59ft 1in (18.00m) BEAM 20ft 8in (6.30m) ENGINES Twin Volvo IPS 800-950s TOP SPEED 34 knots PRICE TBC CONTACT www.evoyachts.com With its enclosed coupé structure, the new R+ might seem like a departure for day boating specialist, Evo, but this latest Valerio Rivellini design feels very much like an evolution of the brand’s established R6. The custom aft platform, designed for Evo by Besenzoni, is a central part of that. You can lift it up for easy embarkation from an elevated pontoon, lower it to water level for a larger beach area, or drop it beneath the waterline for watersports or tender use. The R+ will also feature a convertible dinette with a transverse wet bar aft and a raised island sunbed forward, as well as weekending accommodation for…

LOA 40ft 0in (12.19m) BEAM 21ft 8in (6.61m) ENGINES twin 250-370hp inboard diesels TOP SPEED 22 knots PRICE POA CONTACT www.leopardcatamarans.co.uk Having enjoyed a lot of success with its award-winning 46PC and 53PC models, Leopard is set to introduce a new, more accessible boat to its power cat fleet. And despite the fact that smaller, shorter cats are more sensitive to weight and trim, the leisure potential of the new boat looks impressive. In addition to a pair of ensuite port doubles, the lower decks feature an open-plan owner’s cabin to starboard, with a forward bathroom, a central dressing area and excellent natural light through those big hull windows. Up on the main deck, ahead of the beamy cockpit, the aft end of the saloon is split into a large…

ANTIFOUL COSTS You did a report some time ago and a follow up report 18 months later regarding the reliability of different antifouling paints. I think Hempel Silic One was the winner on both occasions. Having tried to have this put on my new boat, I now understand that it is a very complicated process and costs in excess of four times the normal procedure. I wonder if you could advise me whether this is correct? As a nearly lifetime subscriber to your magazine, I would also like to record my appreciation of all your hard work. Mike Slack Thank you. Applying Silic One is a more complicated and time consuming process than a conventional antifouling paint as you need to apply four thin layers of light primer followed by…

SEE MORE mby.com/jc105 When a cancelled flight prevented us from attending the annual Jeanneau press event in France, we turned to UK boating stalwart, Robin Vaughan. He’s been the boss down at Cambrian Boats in Swansea for many years, as well as a Jeanneau dealer since 2010. We had been planning to look at the flagship Merry Fisher 1295 and the slick new DB/37, but when he told us he’d gone as far as to buy a Jeanneau for his own use, it felt like we ought to take notice. The Cap Camarat line has been around for more than 40 years and it has always been about high-value multi-purpose day boating. Today, that product line comes in two simple forms: the Walkaround (WA) variant with a raised bow for…

Until now Volvo Penta’s ability to power larger craft has been limited by the size of the engines in its portfolio. The most powerful of these is the 1,000hp IPS 1350, which when used in multiples of three or four can handle craft up to around 90ft but even then it eventually runs out of steam. Now Volvo has come up with a new solution that not only doubles the size of craft it can handle (up to 55m) without increasing the size of its engines but offers a much wider variety of power sources, including diesel engines, electric motors or even a combination of both. HYBRID SOLUTION The secret to this breakthrough is a new IPS platform with two separate input shafts. Called IPS 40, it allows two different…

Look around any marina in the UK or abroad and you will almost always see a fleet of small pilothouse motor boats dotted around the pontoons. With their enclosed wheelhouses, safe walkaround decks and facilities for overnighting, this style of craft has become extremely popular with everyone from solo skippers to first-time family buyers and amateur anglers in search of year round adventures. The only downside of this design is that it creates a lot of windage close to the bow relative to the size and weight of the boat, making the early single-engine shaft-drive boats notoriously tricky to berth. These days they are almost all fitted with single or twin outboard engines giving better manoeuvrability at slow speeds as well as more performance when cruising, but the issue of…

With more than 76,000 islands, 56,000 lakes and 300,000 kilometres of coastline, the Finns are never far from water. Unsurprising then that they should make best use of it, with traditions ranging from the downright peculiar (eg: washing their rugs in the brackish water of the Baltic) to building some of the finest vessels afloat. In fact, the nation’s boatbuilding prowess knows no bounds; from the 250,000 GT Icon of the Seas passenger liner right the way down to Finnmaster’s petite 5.5m Husky R5. But Finnmaster’s output isn’t just limited to outboard-powered sportsboats, the yard also builds a range of larger Grandezza sportscruisers and coupés from 25ft to 37ft, including this boat, the 34 OC. We tracked down this 2019 example being offered for sale through the marque’s UK importer, Gibbs…

BUILT 1995 PRICE £64, 950 Another Norfolk Broads-based business, Sheerline, like Broom, has a rich back catalogue stuffed full of river-friendly inland cruisers built for both hire fleet and private ownership. And like Broom, the business dates back more than a century, having started as George Smith and Co back in 1910. INTERIOR The layout of the standard boat is not dissimilar to the Broom Ocean 29 in that it has the owner’s cabin forward, a dinette that converts to a double berth in the saloon opposite the galley, and a single heads. But the AC (aft cabin) version gains a useful second guest cabin just aft of the saloon, where you’ll find a double berth running transversely beneath the forward section of the cockpit. EXTERIOR Most examples of the…

BUILT 2010 PRICE £165, 000 The Dutch really understand inland cruising and tend to favour steel hulls over moulded GRP ones. The Aquanaut Yachting shipyard is a prime example, which has been building steel boats in the heart of Sneek since 1961. Its current range reaches up past 50ft. There are various advantages and disadvantages to building in steel. The disadvantage is weight, but that doesn’t really matter when you are sticking to displacement speeds. And the advantages are inherent strength (out of control hire boats are a threat to paintwork, but rarely structure) and a vast amount of available customisation, since the build process is not constrained by mouldings. INTERIOR Aquanaut build aft-cabin and aft-cockpit boats, the benefit of the former being a private cabin at each end of…